This is for John “Death Valley Johnnie” Ernest Collins 1919-2016
Death Valley Johnnie

 

Death Valley Johnnie Red Ale

ABV: 7.4%
OG: 16.7 Plato

IBU: 81

Death Valley Johnnie, a World War II veteran, was stationed in a forward field hospital supporting Navy and Marine wounded in the Pacific theater. When asked about his experience he replied, “Other than the war…I hated the bugs and humidity.” This is why he would bring his family on vacation to the hot, arid desert in California- Death Valley. Crafted with Red-X malt to capture the desert palette with red hues, Bravo hops to bring out the earthy yet citrusy flavor of the malt, and dry hopped with Falconer’s Flight hops to commemorate the island hopping boys he spent his time helping. Death Valley Johnnie Red Ale is brewed in their memory.

Recipe:

Liquor to grist ratio of 2.4:1

Death Valley Johnnie Malt Bill
Maltster	Malt	% of bill
Best Malz	Red-X	71%
Rahr	2-Row	22%
Briess	CaraPils	4%
Simpsons	Crystal Dark	2%
Weyermann	Carafa 3 Special	0.20%
Extract added during boil
Dextrose	Use 1/10th lbs per total lbs of grain

Hop additions:

Beginning of boil: Bravo for 41 IBU

Whirlpool: Falconer’s Flight for 29 IBU

Dry Hop: Falconer’s Flight to taste (This step isn’t necessary and is up for any hop aroma you’d like to impart)

*The original 5 gallon homebrew was 85% Red-X, 2% carafoam, and 13% dark Belgian candy sugar with bravo and citra hops.*

Grandpa, the second he found out I made beer, was always writing letters about the subject. A brewery opening, news about a corporate brewery take over, articles about beer process, and any other beer related thing he saw. The letters would always follow this format: Hey Redhead, I recently read ______. I’ve included ______ for you to read. Beer is on the up-and-up. Very proud of you. Love, DVJ.

They would always be typed with the exclusion of his signature and the post script. His post scripts were the best, bear in mind this is from a 97 year old man; “P.S. – please send beer soon.” or “Still thirsty.”

I was able to get him Death Valley Johnnie Red Ale before he passed. He would ask for another bottle and his health aid would suggest he have water. His reply was, “it’s alright the Redhead will take care of me.”

And I did. Once his health aid went into the other room we’d open another bottle and listen to his life experience. His favorite mottos in life were”

“Never complain, Never explain”

“Take care of your body and your body will take care of you”

A quote from my father and his siblings about my grandfather:

“My dad used to take us out to Death Valley, the hottest place I know, for our family vacation. He’d bring one six-pack of soda and 3 cases of beer. This was intended for five children, his wife, and himself. Yes, one six-pack for 5 kids and 3 cases of beer for good ol’ DVJ.”